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MES Remediation Protocol

To: All MES Families

From: Amy Rex, Superintendent

Re: Remediation Protocol

 

Fuss and O’Neill provided the MTSD with a remediation protocol plan on Friday, August 23 and together we reviewed it with Savage, the company carrying out the remediation. There are presently no regulatory requirements with regard to mold remediation in the State of Vermont. The MES project involves the removal of moisture and/or mold impacted building materials in accordance with standard practices and recommended procedures as detailed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). The protocol outlines the process that is being used by Savage Inc.; a high level overview is outlined below for you.

Savage has been on site since Saturday. They are making excellent progress. Director of Operations, Matt Grasso and Facilities Manager, Bruce Cheeseman conduct morning and afternoon assessments. They have been very impressed with both the extensiveness of the project - cleaning not just the entirety of the room, but also the space above the ceiling, and the thoroughness stating that the spaces look and feel like hospital rooms. 

Also attached is a map of the MES classrooms indicating the location of each teacher’s regular classroom. This was requested during our grade level Zoom meetings on Monday. 

The next update will come after we receive the results of the first post remediation test. As a reminder the first set of classrooms being cleaned are 431-442. The post remediation test for these classrooms is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3. As soon as we receive the results, we will send an update. 

Remediation Information

  1. Savage Inc. is carrying out the remediation protocol. They are required to sign in and out each day and stay within the confines of the work area. The work area is completely enclosed and inaccessible from the inside of the building. 
  2. Moisture data records must be maintained and include, baseline, during and post. 
  3. The remediation protocol outlines every possible surface and how it should be cleaned, methods include the following: 
    1. Wet vac and Steam clean (carpets)
    2. Damp wipe with detergent solution
    3. High-efficiency particulate vac (HEPA)
    4. Sand with HEPA attachment (required surfaces)
    5. Apply appropriate biocide to surfaces. The biocide to be selected by the contractor must be EPA Certified, low odor and non-hazardous. 
    6. Encapsulate dry and clean non-porous materials with a priming agent.
    7. Final cleaning of surfaces with a HEPA Vacuum after other cleaning methods have been finished and all surfaces are dry.
  4. A negative pressure enclosure (NPE) has been created in the work area to allow remediation of the moisture/mold-impacted building materials without exposure to areas outside the remediation zone. 
  5. The negative pressure filtration devices have been equipped with HEPA filters. HEPA filters are pleated mechanical air filters with a considerable thickness to capture the particulates. The pleats create a mat of fibers that are randomly arranged. The random, dense arrangement of fibers in the HEPA filter helps to catch a range of particle sizes. As air particles pass through the air filter, they are caught by three mechanisms: diffusion, interception, and impaction. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can remove 99.97% - 99.99% of airborne particles that are equal to, smaller, or larger than 0.3 microns in size. 
  6. After each section is cleaned, a post remediation test will be conducted:
  1. The work area shall be free of visible dust and debris. 
  2. The total concentration and genus distribution of fungi detected on total airborne environmental fungi (spore trap) samples collected in the work area shall be similar to or less than the total concentration and genus distribution of fungi on total airborne environmental fungi (Air-O-Cell) samples collected outside of the work area. 
  3. Fuss & O’Neill will provide a summary report following the completion of each assessment. 

General Information about Mold and Health 

  • Mold is everywhere in the environment - both indoors and outdoors. Mold can grow indoors when there is a water or moisture problem like from a leak or high humidity.
  • Unlike asbestos or PCBs, there are no requirements or limitations for the presence of mold and occupancy. 
  • No matter how much or what kind of mold is in a building, the action steps are the same: remove or clean the moldy items and fix the water or moisture problem.
  • Sensitivity to mold varies from person to person. Some people have mold allergies and therefore, a higher sensitivity.
  • People with weakened immune systems or breathing problems may be at greater risk of health effects from mold.

For questions about your child’s health, contact your child’s health care provider.

For more information about mold, visit www.HealthVermont.gov/mold. For general questions about mold, email [email protected].District Office_ MES Final Floor FY24 - Sheet1.pdf 

Attached Files